OEM LBJ Identification

I had a local shop replace my lower ball joints with OEM, recently. My reading of this forum says OEM's don't come with Zerk fittings, and yet mine have them. Did the shop pull a fast one, or are these genuine? There is only one marking on the top, but I couldn't read it or get a clear picture.

Can anyone identify if these are Moog or something?

 

Yep Take it back.

 

The bolt mating surfaces on the LBJ should be machined on an OEM LBJ. Not gonna be able to see that without separating the LBJ though. And like you said, OEM don't have grease zerks either.

 

They are not OEM. Probably a moog or 555... look like a moog to me. I have run them for many miles with no issues. But if you paid for OEM I would be pissed.

 

Not oem take it back and raise a bitch fit.

 

There's also supposed to be another dust boot of sorts covering the actual ball joint dust boot, but it's not that important. And like others have said, there aren't any grease fittings on the OEM Toyota ones. Hopefully the shop will make it right if they did in say they were putting in genuine OEM parts (unfortunately the Moog/555/etc. ones claim to be "OEM equivalent" even though they are of lesser quality and tend to not last as long).

 

I paid $145 ea. Isn't Sankei 555 the OEM for our LBJs?

 

Supposedly but of less quality. I have run 555 since 150k now at 238k with no issues.

 

Also the OEM ones are black and not gray like that.

Here's a picture from when I did mine:

 

Camelback Toyota parts has lbj for around $100 and if you go through gunny on here it’s even less. New Toyota bolts are a good idea too.

 

Thanks, all, for the swift and informative replies. I hate to say it, but I agreed to this. I figured OEM was OEM, not lesser quality by same manufacturer. If there's a next time I will specify TOYOTA.

I don't want to start another LBJ debate on this forum, so let's end the discussion here. Again, thank you!

 

For the record 555 is not oem supplier, there's an email floating around from 555 specifically denying this claim.

 

dust boot cover didn't come on all of them. You can buy it separately from toyota.

No, those do not look like oem.

 

You bought the truck new when it first was on the dealership floor?

 

Never seen an OEM lower ball joint with that plug. Odds are those are not original.

 

Mine look different as well but mine are for a 96. OEM left, unknown 555 right

 

original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is a company that produces parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer.

Basically, your mechanic bought the cheapest OEM and charged for the highest priced OEM part. That's what most shops, another reason I just do the work my self, it may take me all day or 2 and a case of beer. But I get it done.

Well actually I paid someone to change my timing belt, but I took all the parts.

 

Regardless of what your dad bought, said, did etc, what you have is 100% NOT the original LBJ. There is absolutely no doubt that the LBJ shown is aftermarket and it seems that this is the consensus.

 

I replaced my original LBJ (1995) with 319k miles - still tight like new.

This is how old factory OEM LBJ looks like (after 23 years).

 

Sankei 555 is an OE aftermarket supplier. I believe Somic Ishikawa is the OEM supplier for ball joints.